Drier for veneers.



No. 674,342. Patented May l4, 19m.

A. s. NICHOLS. DRIER FOR VENEERS.

(Application filed Dec. 7, 1895.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

fiflRON S. NICHOLS ms mom's PETERs cc. PHOYG-UTMDQ wumumom I;v c.

H16 flTTORNEY6 'No. 674,342. Patented May I4, I90I. A. S. NICHOLS.

DRIER FOR VENEERS.

(Application filed Dec. 7, 1895) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

WITNESSES:

Tn: NORRIS Perms cov, mo'mumo" WASHINGYOK. a c.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

AARON S. NICHOLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNEASSIGNMENTS, TO BENJAMIN H. REEVE, RECEIVER OF THE FIRM OF NICHOLS ANDHOWARD.

DRIER FOR VENEERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 674,342, dated May 14:,1901.

Application filed December 7, 1895. Serial No. 571,844 (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, AARON S. NICHOLS, a citizen of the United States,residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Driers for Veneers, &c. ,ofwhich the following is a specification.

In that class of veneer-driers which consist of a series of steam-heatedplatens adapted to receive the veneers between them and to exertpressure upon them during the drying operation it is desirable that the.platens be opened several times during the drying operation, so as torelease the pressure upon the veneers and allow them toshrink and at thesame time giveescape to the moisture in the veneers which has at thetimes of opening been vaporized by the heat. A drier consisting of aseries of vertical and sidewisemovable platens adapted to be thus openedis shown in the patent to me No. 515,357, of February 27, 18945. Inmypresent invention I arrange the platens horizontally in a pile one abovethe other and move them vertically instead of arranging them verticallyand side by side and moving them sidewise, as in my patentedconstruction. By this change I overcome a serious objection to thepatented construction, due to the fact that only one veneer can be putinto each interspace of the vertical-platen drier, and as veneers areilly adapted to rest edgewise one on another the single sheet or veneermust of necessity be positioned at the bottom of the space. By reason ofthis feature of the vertical-platen driers their capacity in dryingnarrow stock is limited, and it is also true that when closed upon thestock the platens do not meet with the same resistance at the top thatthey do at the bottom, because the veneer-spaces are unfilled at thetop, and this causes a strain upon the apparatus. In the changedconstruction the interspaces can be filled from edge to edge of theplatens with narrow stock and the entire area of each interspace can beutilized, thereby giving the apparatus the same capacity for dryingnarrow stud as it possesses for the widestuff. Moreover, the narrowstock can be so disposed between the platens as to equalize the pressureor strain upon the different parts of the platens. My said patentedconstruction is further subject to the objection that it cannot beopened and closed quickly enough for some kinds of veneers, and thelabor involved in manually operating the opening and closing devices isonerous and requires the almost constant attendance of the operator, andhence I have devised and combined with the platens mechanism adapted notonly to open and close them automatically, but also adapted to performthe operation so quickly that the platens do not remain open long enoughto allow either spliting or chilling of the veneers. Indeed theoperation of my improved mechanism is practically instantaneous, theclosing movement following the opening one immediately and bothmovements being quick. I have adopted as the best means for thusactuating the platens, a cylinder and piston adapted to be actuated bysteam or other quick-acting gas or fluid under pressure, and I prefer tolocate them under the pile of platens and to fasten the upper platen sothat it will be held stationary and coact with the piston in closing theplatens upon the veneers and causing the necessary pressure thereon. Ihave also combined with the platens and their opening and closingdevices regulating mechanism whereby the opening and closing of theplatens is made to take place at stated intervals and as often as thenature of the work on hand requires.

The nature of my said improvement is so forth in and will be more fullyunderstood from the description which I give below, and from theaccompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of my improveddrier. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section showing the lever system, andFigs. 3 and 4 are vertical sections of the cylinder of the valvecontrolling the lifting-cylinder. Fig. 5 is a detail section showing theconnection between the lifting-cylinder and the steam-supply.

In said drawings, A A represent the platens, which, as shown, arearranged in a pile one above another in horizontal or substantiallyhorizontal planes. The upper platen is stationary, being secured to aproper framework, of which the beam B is a member. Such framework may besustained upon the upright beams C, which also serve as side guides tothe movable platens. The platens are all attached each to its neighborplaten. by several series of slotted links 0, which allow the platens tomove vertically to the extent required. The steam whereby the platensare heated is supplied by the header D and conducted therefrom to theplatens by the series of pipes E, having flexible joints at 6.

Under the pile of platens is located the lifting and pressure-exertingmechanism, which is adapted after the sheets of veneers are in placebetween the platens to raise the movable ones of the series until theyare brought into close contact with both faces of the ve-' neers and tocause such pressure thereon as will straighten the veneers, if they arewarped or wrinkled, and retain them in a perfectly flat condition duringthe drying. In this operation the upper platen, being station arilyheld, resists the upward lift, and thus causes the pressure necessary.The lifting and pressure-exerting mechanism referred to should be suchas will allow the platens to open and give opportunity for the shrinkageof the veneers and the escape of the vaporized moisture and close themalmost immediately and quickly, and thus avoid chilling the veneers, andthe construction which I have conceived t-o be the best for the purposeis a press or jack adapted to be operated by steam, gas, or fluid underpressure. I prefer to use steam and to employ as the press or jack thecylinder F, the piston F in said cylinder, and a valve G in cylinder G,controlling the admission of the steam to and its discharge from thecylinder F. The press is placed centrally under the pile of platens, andwhere the lever system hereinafter described is employed with it it isdesirable that the cylinder and piston of the press be inverted, asshown. The cylinder is of course attached to the bottom platen. Thevalve is provided with two heads and is shown in Fig. 3 as shuttingoffthe entrance of steam from pipe H and as opening the exhaust whichtakes place through pipe K. The steam connection between the valve andthe cylinder F is shown at J. In this position of the valve the platensare open; but when it is shifted to the positionshown at Fig. 4: theexhaust is closed and the steam-inlet opened, so that cylinder F ischarged, and thereby the platens are closed and caused to exert thenecessary pressure and heat upon the veneers. They remain in actionuntil the valve is shifted back to the position given at Fig. 3, whichopens the exhaust and closes the inlet, so that the platens become freeto open. The shifting of valve G is autpmatically effected, ashereinafter fully set forth.

The stem F of piston F of the lifting-cylinder extends downward and isprovided at its lower end with a head L, which serves as a means for itsattachment to the lifting-levers M, pivotally supported by the standardsN, rising from the floor or bed 0, a link P being interposed between thehead L and theconverging ends of the levers M. There are four of thelevers M, and the outer end of each of them is joined to the bottomplaten at the corners or margin of the latter by means of vertical barsQ, the joints between the levers and bars and between the bars and theplaten being pivoted, as plainly indicated. With this system of leversconnected to the piston F it will be seen that the result of theadmission of steam to the cylinder F will be the forcing of the pistondownward against the resistance afforded by the levers and at the sametime the exertion of an upward power upon the cylinder, which with theassistance afforded by the levers will lift the platens until they areall closed upon the veneers with sufficient pressure to straighten outthe latter, and this condition may be maintained as long as necessaryfor the work in hand. It will also be seen that the result of exhaustingthe steam from behind piston F will be the withdrawal of the liftingpower and the consequent fall of the platens by gravity to their openposition.

By means of the levers I am enabled to use a single motor orpower-supplying device, and yet to apply the power equally to all partsof the platen, which is a matter of importance in the case of largeplatens, inasmuch as it insures the necessary pressure over all the areaof the platens, avoids strains upon the platens, and permits theirconstruction with lighter frames. By the use of the single motor and thelevers I am also enabled to apply the power simultaneously to thedifferent parts of the platensa result which would be very difficult, ifnot absolutelyimpossible, of attainment by a plurality of motors.

The shifting of the controlling-valve is anmatic, as already stated, andis effected as follows: A time-movement is contained in the case B andaetuates the pointer B. At intervals in the margin of the face of thetime-movement are one or more electrical contact strips or points R andthese points and the moving pointer are adapted when the pointer touchesany of the points to complete an electric circuit formed by the wires Rand embracing the battery R and magnet B. "When the circuit is thuscompleted, the magnet is energized and rocks the lever B, one end ofwhich is attached to the magnetarmature, and in so doing shifts theauxiliary valve S in cylinder S. This valve-cylinder is supplied withsteam from the pipe H by a branch S and is also connected to one end ofvalve-cylinder G by the port or passage S The valve S has two heads, asshown, so that the steam-pressure felt by it will be balanced and itsmovementsrendered easy. In the position given at Fig. 3 the valve S isshown as having been shifted so as to uncover steam-inlet pipe S andadmit steam into the space between the end of the cylinder and the headof valve G, and this results, of course, in an immediate shifting ofvalve G from the position of Fig. 4 to that of Fig. 3 and also in theopening of the platens by opening the exhaust from the main cyl-"stantly move under the power of spring S to the position shown at Fig.4, thereby opening exhaust-port S and closing inlet-pipe S and givingescape to the steam by which valve G was shifted and allowing the valveG to be moved to the position of Fig. 4 by contact of stem G attached tovalve Gand projecting downward, as in Fig. 1, with head L upon the stemF of the lifting-piston F, which contact takes place as the platens arenearing the conclusion of this opening movement. The return of valve Gthus caused allows the lifting-cylinder to recharge with steam, andthereby to bring about an immediate closing of the platens. The partsremain in the positions to which they are now moved-thatis to say, withthe platens closed and the valves in their Fig. 4 positionuntil thepointer R reaches another contact-point R when the operation describedis repeated. At the conclusion of the drying the steam is shut 0E by thevalve T to avoid any further closing of the platens until the stock hasbeen removed and fresh stock put in.

It will be understood that the platens may be opened as often as desiredand at regular long or short intervals or at varying intervals. Inpractice I find it better to open them less frequently toward the latterpart of the drying operation than at the commencement. This may beregulated by properly positioning the contact-points R and by employinga number thereof corresponding to the number of times the platens shouldbe opened, and in order to permit changes in the number and positions ofcontacts without removing the pointer I prefer to make the latter ofspring metal, so its end may be bent to one side and move around theinner surface of the ring in which the contact-points are supported. Itwill also be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the use ofelectrical connections between the time-movement and the auxiliaryvalve, as it is obvious such connections need not be electrical.

By the use of the means described the platens are opened quickly andclosed quickly and without any loss of time between the opening andclosing, so that the veneers may be given all necessary opportunity toshrink without becoming chilled and without splitting. Their use notonly permits a quickening of the movements, but also enables me togreatly increase both the size and the number of platens without anyloss in the celerity of the movements.

The construction which I have illustrated and described is adapted toadmit steam to the lifting-cylinder just before the platens opening.

have I completed their falling movement in In this manner the fall iscushioned: so that the links 0 are not strained and the operation isrendered comparatively noiseless.

I claim- 1. The veneer-drier wherein are combined a series of heatedplatens adapted to receive the veneers between them and also adapted tobe opened and closed and to press the veneers, devices for so moving andholding the platens, and regulating mechanism embracing a time-movementand adapted to control said devices and cause them to release and renewthe pressure upon the veneers at stated intervals, substantially asspecified.

2. The veneer-drier wherein are combined a series of heated platensadapted to receive the Veneers between them and also adapted to beopened and closed and to press the veneers, a quick-acting mechanismsuch as a cylinder and piston for so moving and holding the platens, andmechanism comprising electrical contacts and an automatically-operatedcircuit-closer cooperating therewith suitably controlling the saidquick-acting mechanism and adapted to cause the opening and closing ofthe platens at intervals.

3. The drier wherein are combined a series of heated platens arrangedone above another in a pile and adapted to receive the stock betweenthem, and also adapted to be quickly opened and closed and to press thestock, an inverted cylinder and piston and levers placed under the pileand all connected with the bottom platen, and means whereby the upperplaten may hold the series against the pressure of the piston andlevers, substantially as specified.

4. The drier wherein are combined a series of heated platens adapted toreceive the material between them and also to be opened and closed, anda quick-acting power mechanism such as an inverted cylinder, piston andlevers all connected with the bottom movable platen for opening andclosing the platens, substantially as specified.

5. The combination with the series of opening and closing platens, of acylinder and piston, a system of levers adapted to act in unison withthe piston in moving the platens, and automatic mechanism forcontrolling said cylinder, substantially as specified.

6. The combination with the series of platens arranged one above anotherin a pile, of the inverted cylinder and piston placed centrally underthe pile and connected with the bottom platen, and a system of leverscooperating with the cylinder and piston and actuated thereby and alsoconnected with the bottom platen, substantially as specified.

7. The combination with the heated platens arranged in a pile, of astationary frame to which the upper platen is fastened, a quickactingpower mechanism for opening and closing the platens, such mechanismbeing located under the platens, and comprising a IIO system of levers,substantially as specified, and an automatic means for setting saidpower mechanism in operation.

8. The combination With the platens, arranged in a pile, of a cylinderand piston adapted to be operated by fluid-pressure, a valve controllingthe fluid, an auxiliary valve for shifting said controlling-valve, and atimemovement connected to said last-mentioned valve and adapted to causeits actuation substantially as specified.

9. The combination with a series of heated platens arranged in a pileand adapted to be opened and closed, of quick-acting automatic powermechanism comprising a system of levers having short and long arms, thelatter connected with the platens, and a cylinder and piston connectedwith the other ends of the levers, for imparting a quick opening andimmediate closing movement to the platens at intervals.

-10. The veneer-drier wherein are combined a series of steam-heatedmovable platens arranged horizontally and in a pile essentially as setforth, quick-acting power mechanism acting to open and close the platensvery quickly and automatic means for setting said power mechanism inoperation, whereby injury to the veneers by splitting or chilling isavoided, substantially as specified.

11. The veneer-drier wherein are combined a series of heated horizontalplatens adapted to receive the veneers between them and also adapted tobe opened and closed and to press the veneers, a quick-acting cylinderand piston for so moving and holding the platens, mechanism suitably connected to and controlling the cylinder and adapted to cause the openingand closing of the platens at intervals, and automatic means forcontrolling the supply of fluid to the piston, substantially asspecified.

12. The combination with a series of opening and closing platens, aquick-acting power mechanism for opening and closing the platens, and anautomatic mechanism for controlling said quick-acting mechanism to causethe said operation of the platens at stated intervals.

AARON S. NICHOLS.

Witnesses:

Enw. S. EvARTs, H. M. MUNDAY.

